Which water town near Shanghai?

Canals, stone bridges and old houses within a day trip of Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou. They differ more than the photos suggest: in crowds, how commercial they feel, and how easy they are to reach.

Checked 2 November 2026. Prices and hours change by season: confirm on the official channel before you go. See also: Shanghai city guide, 240-hour transit stopover.

Zhujiajiao 朱家角

Province: Shanghai Crowds: high Commercial: high

Best for: The easiest water town to reach by metro

From Shanghai	Metro Line 17 from Hongqiao Railway Station to Zhujiajiao station, then walk, taxi or the ¥40 electric boat to the old town; allow 1-1.5 hours from downtown
From elsewhere	From Suzhou or Hangzhou: train to Hongqiao Railway Station, then Line 17
Tickets	Free to walk in; joint ticket for Kezhi Garden, Hexin Garden and Helong Art Museum ¥60; hand boats ¥200-300 per boat (up to 6)
Staying the night	Not needed; an easy half day from Shanghai

Go on a weekday morning; weekends pack Fangsheng Bridge and North Street

Sources: www.zhujiajiao.com, www.wanderinchina.com

Zhouzhuang 周庄

Province: Jiangsu Crowds: high Commercial: high

Best for: The classic postcard water town, if you don't mind crowds

From Shanghai	High-speed train to Kunshan South (about 20 min), then bus 133 (about 50 min) or a taxi; or a coach from Shanghai, about 1.5 hours; no metro
From elsewhere	From Suzhou: direct bus from Suzhou North Bus Station, about 1-1.5 hours
Tickets	¥80 (¥100 list price at 20% off since July 9, 2026), good for 3 days in a row; boats extra
Staying the night	Worth it for quiet lanes early and late; the town and core sights now stay open until 9 pm

Open 8:00-21:00 since July 2026; small theater shows inside are free

Sources: www.bjnews.com.cn, www.yzwb.net, www.wanderinchina.com

Tongli 同里

Province: Jiangsu Crowds: medium Commercial: medium

Best for: A calmer classic town with a UNESCO-listed garden

From Shanghai	High-speed train to Suzhou, then Suzhou Metro Line 4 to Tongli station and a bus or taxi for the last 5 km or so
From elsewhere	From Suzhou: Line 4 to Tongli, about 45-60 minutes door to door; buses also run
Tickets	About ¥100, including Tuisi Garden and the historic halls; boats extra
Staying the night	Not needed; an easy half day from a Suzhou base

The metro station is outside town, so plan the last leg; Tuisi Garden opens some evenings in season

Sources: www.wanderinchina.com, chinafortravelers.com

Wuzhen (East and West) 乌镇（东栅、西栅）

Province: Zhejiang Crowds: high Commercial: high

Best for: A polished, resort-style town; West is best at night

From Shanghai	High-speed train from Hongqiao to Tongxiang (under an hour), then bus K282 or a taxi; or a direct coach, about 2-2.5 hours
From elsewhere	From Hangzhou: a short train ride from Hangzhou East to Tongxiang, or a coach from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
Tickets	West (Xizha) ¥150, East (Dongzha) ¥110, both ¥190 on the same day; boats and some museums extra
Staying the night	Yes, in West: stay inside Xizha to see it lit up at night and quiet at dawn

West is open about 9:00-22:00; East is smaller and closes around 17:30-18:00. Mobile pay only, real-name tickets

Sources: news.sina.cn, www.wanderinchina.com, citiesinsider.com

Xitang 西塘

Province: Zhejiang Crowds: high Commercial: high

Best for: Evening lanterns and long covered riverside walkways

From Shanghai	High-speed train to Jiashan South, then a local bus or taxi; or a coach from Shanghai; allow about 1.5-2 hours
Tickets	About ¥95-100, covering a set of small sights; boats extra
Staying the night	Yes: the lantern-lit canals and covered walkways are best after dark

Visitors report walking in free before 8 am or after 5 pm on regular days, with the sights closed

Sources: www.chinahighlights.com, www.eastchinatrip.com

Nanxun 南浔

Province: Zhejiang Crowds: medium Commercial: medium

Best for: Grand merchant mansions and a more lived-in feel

From Shanghai	High-speed train from Hongqiao to Huzhou Nanxun station (about 45 min), then a taxi (about 15-20 min) or the weekend shuttle
From elsewhere	From Hangzhou or Suzhou: train or bus to Huzhou, then a bus or taxi
Tickets	Free to enter since 2023; combo for six historic houses ¥85 at the window (about ¥75 online), valid 48 hours
Staying the night	Worth it: split the mansions over two mornings and see Baijianlou in the early mist

Baijianlou riverside is lined with restaurant tables; use the walkway behind them

Sources: chinafortravelers.com, wanderinchina.com

Luzhi 甪直

Province: Jiangsu Crowds: low Commercial: low

Best for: A quiet, lived-in town without big tour groups

From Shanghai	Train to Suzhou, then a city bus or taxi; or a driver from Shanghai
From elsewhere	From Suzhou: city bus or taxi, about 45 minutes; no metro
Tickets	Free to walk in; a combo ticket covers the main sights (about ¥45 in one 2026 guide)
Staying the night	Not needed; there is little night lighting

Small and low-key; pair it with a day in Suzhou

Sources: chinafortravelers.com, chinatravel.com

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